Just finished my Scorpion...

[85V8XJ]

... and DAMN is it sweet! Have a few small issues to work out, though. First, the obvious - stripped out several of the beadlock screw holes on the rims - couldn't get the ring to pinch the tires tight enough to hold them as much as I'd like. I'm hoping that the addition of larger screws will give it a bit more clamping force.
Second - and this is the biggest letdown - the upper rear axle link pulled clean out of the bracket while doing to very mild testing around my house. I suppose I could chalk it up to too much traction on my carpet, but can't imagine I won't encounter as much or more traction on the rocks. So, upper link fails = rear drive shaft separates. The postive is that it's easy to pop it back together.
And something I already knew I was going to have trouble with - getting all my electronics to fit. I'm running the Super Rooster out of my TXT super, ended up mounting it on the rear axle since it wasn't going to share space with my Nomadio Sensor's rx. Hopefully the speed control for my Goat system will fit better.
And hardly worth mentioning - the battery straps will not secure a standard 7.2v stick pack to the upper deck - far too short. I'm guessing that this isn't a common problem since I haven't seen or heard anyone mention it. I'm just using long zip ties for the time being.
Those issues aside, Axial seems to have done their homework - I've been in the rc hobby over 25 years, have built over 50 kits, and the quality is right up there with some of the best. The fact that this is their first offering make this all the more impressive.

[DieselPhotos]

I think the battery strap issue is common, or will be. I had the same problem, and did the same thing as you. 2 Longs Zipties, semi tight, but loose enough to swap batteries

[85V8XJ]

I just remembered that I have some reusable zip ties, looks like I should hunt them down.

[screaminsavage]

the upper link problem is easy to fix, just put a washer on the screw so the head won't slip the hole anymore. and for the battery try some velcro, but I would suggest a mini t battery on the fron axle

[85V8XJ]

Well, I was going to blow the problem with the upper link off as a fluke. With a total of 5 minutes on the truck, I've now popped the front apart, too. The bummer is, like a ball cup on a buggy or stadium truck, the ball will become progressively looser the more it happens. The only solution I can think of at the moment would be to add a washer beween the cap head and the ball, though this will only really preven the link from falling all the way off. The link could still pop off. That, and I'm concerned that a washer would limit articulation. Guess I'll just have to try it and see.
I'm just running 7.2 volts though the Integy handwound 55t motor, nothing unusually strong.

[85V8XJ]

I've been running my Scorpion indoors all day, and while the upper link has popped out a few times, I'm enjoying the hell out of it. Just been setting up obstacles, running over my daughter, climbing the couch, etc... I think I'll have to keep a set of clean wheels and tires around just so I can keep playing when the weather sucks. The new Integy 55t is very smooth, and I'm getting quite a bit of run time out of my daughter's 3600 mAh sport packs. I'm going to contact cheapbatterypacks this week to have something built specifically for the truck, though I intend on trying to keep everything on the chassis. I just can't get in to the look of batteries mounted on the axles, regardless of the performance benefits.

[big mac 197]

cool man!

[NitroStar]

Slip the battery strap thru the bottom of 1 side & pull it so the buckle comes up against the slot, go over the battery, put the strap down thru the other side, then back up & fasten it back to itself with the velcro. (The buckle holds the other end). I have mine holding a Max Amps 8000 mah battery.

I would post a pic, but it says I can't.

Putting a washer on the bolt head for the top link does not hinder performance at all.

[85V8XJ]

Originally Posted by NitroStar

Slip the battery strap thru the bottom of 1 side & pull it so the buckle comes up against the slot, go over the battery, put the strap down thru the other side, then back up & fasten it back to itself with the velcro. (The buckle holds the other end). I have mine holding a Max Amps 8000 mah battery.

I would post a pic, but it says I can't.

Putting a washer on the bolt head for the top link does not hinder performance at all.

Thanks for the info! I'll pop a washer on the upper link soon - I'm having too much fun playing with the truck at the moment - I'm just being careful not to bind the drivetrain too much. It's funny - I threw the gravedigger body from my TXT on the Scorpion as a temp while I paint the Bushwacker up, and it's growing on me. You may recognize the body as one I was attempting to sell -

Wasn't getting any hits, so I was trying to figure out what to do with it. I'll post some pics up soon. The black & flames actually look pretty trick with the green anodized aluminum.

[CHEEZBURGER]

What size washer do you need to fix that problem?

[screaminsavage]

Originally Posted by CHEEZBURGER

What size washer do you need to fix that problem?

Not very big, just large enough to not fit through the hole in the link mount

[85V8XJ]

Wanted to thank Nitrostar for the suggestion on the battery strap - works perfectly! If you try to use the straps as recommended in the manual, they will not work with a standard 6 cell pack as they're too short.
I'll be throwing washers on the upper links tonight. Thought of something, though. The ball popping out acts as a nice fusable link - no real damage to speak of, other than the hole wearing out on the bracket after repeatedly popping the ball back in. If the upper link doesn't give out, I wonder what will? There's an amazing amount of torque passing through the drivetrain of this little truck, it's got to go somewhere. In no way am I implying that there is any sort of weakness anywhere else in the system - but as with any truck, that torque will need to go somewhere.

[85V8XJ]

Ok. So I just hit the local hobby shop's crawling course - first time I've had the truck on the rocks. Even with the battery in the stock location, I was happy with it's performance. Naturally, it's a bit top-heavy.
Anyway, I will absolutely be adding those washers to the top links. As soon as the drivetrain binds, it's over - the link pops off and the driveshaft separates. Must have happend 10-15 times in the 20 minutes I spent crawling on my lunch.

[85V8XJ]

Figure I may as well post up some pics...







And the new Rock Claws...

[DieselPhotos]

Looks Awesome. If only the beads/flames matched, be even uh.. awesomer? But it would look grave diggerish.

[85V8XJ]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking. I'm kinda digging the contrast, though. Considering this was a body that I was about ready to toss, I'm pretty happy to have it as a "basher". I've got a Bushwacker body waiting for paint, I wouldn't own the Gravedigger body had I not rec'vd it with the TXT I bought a few months ago.

[dc2drifterx]

I just used a 4-40 washer that I had laying around in my Losi hardware for the upper link fix. No issues since then.

[balang_479]

very nice...

[85V8XJ]

Just a simple one-color paint job on a Tamiya S-10 prerunner body. Still haven't dug in the the Bushwacker yet...





The lighting is kinda funky in the pics - I didn't want to interupt my wife's intense game of Bioshock with bright lights. ;)

[WKKILLER]

Love the Rock Claws.